The top 10: Flint area loaded with talent for 2012-13 season

Here are my top 10 Flint-area basketball players for the 2012-13 season. Bear in mind that these are player rankings not prospect rankings; upside really isn’t a variable. These rankings are based on how I think these players will produce this season.

The Top 10

1.) Monte Morris, senior, Flint Beecher: The Iowa State commit is a four-year starter and one of the top three guards in the state. Still a bit slender for high major, but he has high major skills and basketball I.Q. He’s a Mr. Basketball contender.2.) J.D. Tisdale, senior, Swartz Creek: The Bowling Green commit won’t lead this five in scoring, but there’s no better stat stuffer than this 6-5 point guard. I would not be surprised if he led his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks this season. Oh, and dunks.3.) Denzel Watts, senior, Flint Carman-Ainsworth: Watts is a bullish, prototype high school scoring guard who committed to UAB this fall. He is double trouble, offensively; you can’t give him space because of his shooting ability and you can’t back off of him because of his ability to drive. He could just as easily be #2 (I’ve ranked him there before), I just think Tisdale will do even more this year in the all-around game.4.) Malik Young, junior, Flint Southwestern: After the departure of Northern’s Richie Lewis to prep school, this Saginaw Valley first team point guard is the best player in the city. He has been an impact player since being called up to varsity as a freshman. He’s a legit performer against legit competition.5.) Eric Readman, senior, Fenton: Ask Clarkston how good this kid is. He’s a pure scorer, shooter and one of the most underrated players in the state. He has committed to Indiana Wesleyan. I watched him show out this season for Common Bond on the AAU circuit.6.) Cameron Morse, junior, Flint Carman-Ainsworth: Morse is much more than an outside threat these days. He has a solid all-around guard game and is on the radar of a lot of division one schools. On any other team, Morse would be the show.7.) Cory Cox, senior, Fenton: Cox is about 6-foot-5 but extends his game to the perimeter. He has excellent touch and many would argue was Fenton’s best player last season.8.) Erick Layton, senior, Flint Hamady: Layton averaged 20-plus points last season and proved he could play well against good teams when he posted 21 points in the districts versus Flint Beecher, a team the Hawks just can’t touch. He’s an excellent multi-sport athlete, though the weak class C schedule doesn’t do him any favors.9.) Alec Myers, junior, Goodrich: The coming-out party for Myers came last season in a loss to state power Detroit Country Day. The 6-1 point guard had 24 points against the Yellow Jackets and should lead a balanced Goodrich scoring attack in points this season. He’s a tough defender and leader. Teammate Grant Smith could just as easily cracked the top 10.10.) Max Cummings, senior. Swartz Creek He’s a returning first-team all-league selection and, most recently, a first-team all-state receiver. Cummings is a really craft scorer, a solid ballhandler and probably underrated across the board. He led the Dragons in scoring last season, including 28 points in a breakout win over rival Holly.Under the radar: Amariontez Thomas, junior, Flint NorthernSpecial mention: Markell Lucas, senior, Flint Beecher; Grant Smith, junior, Goodrich; Bart Williams, senior, Grand Blanc; Quinton Cook, senior, Ortonville-Brandon; Ray-Ray Lewis, junior, Flint Northern; J.C. Carrizales, senior, Davison; Cullen Turczyn, senior, Lapeer West.Honorable mention: Nick Sullivan, senior, Flint Powers; Grant Smith, junior, Goodrich; Simeun McGee, International Academy of Flint; Jimmie Hodges, junior, Montrose; Dorian Grady, senior, Flint Southwestern; Andre Yancy, senior, Flint Northwestern; Erick Thompson, senior, Flint Powers; Emanuel Phifer, junior, Flint Beecher; Mitch Rubio, senior, Goodrich; Justice Green, junior, Flint Carman-Ainsworth; David Battle, senior, Grand Blanc; Parker Rowse, sophomore, Holly; Michael Alexander, senior, Holly; K.J. Miller, senior, Grand Blanc; Tyler Centilli, senior, Clio; Matt Romano, senior, Flint Kearsley; Frank Green, sophomore, Flint Beecher; Darian Welch, senior, Lake Fenton; Hunter Selby, senior, Burton Genesee Christian.Check out my friend Eric’s basketball preview on Mlive. We’re not in total agreement, but we’re not too far off in most cases.